Giro organisers hit back after Vingegaard leads rider protest over Milan circuit - 'The riders went too far'

What had looked on paper like a fast and spectacular city centre finale became one of the most controversial moments of the race so far. After the first laps of the Milan circuit, several riders raised concerns about the condition of the roads, with maglia rosa Jonas Vingegaard emerging as the most visible spokesperson in discussions with the race jury.

The Dane spent long stretches alongside the race officials’ car, arguing that the circuit was not safe enough for the overall contenders to race at full intensity all the way to the finish. 

Victor Campenaerts and Giulio Ciccone were also involved in the talks, as the peloton pushed for action to reduce the risk of crashes on a technical urban course marked by potholes, tramlines and uneven surfaces.

The jury first appeared to settle on stopping the general classification clock with five kilometres remaining. But after further discussions, that decision was revised. In the end, GC times were taken as the riders crossed the line to begin the final lap, with 16.3 kilometres still to go.

That allowed the fight for the stage win to continue without the same pressure on the overall contenders. The finale still delivered drama, as Fredrik Dversnes and the breakaway narrowly held off the sprinters after a furious chase through the streets of Milan.

Vingegaard later defended his role, insisting that he had not acted alone. According to the race leader, there was broad agreement in the bunch that the circuit created unnecessary danger.

“I think I spent more time at the red car than at my own team car,” Vingegaard said afterwards. “We spoke among the riders and the feeling was that this was not the safest circuit. There were holes in the road, tramlines and a lot of bumps. At no point did I really feel comfortable taking a bottle or a gel.”

The Dane thanked the jury for listening, but his intervention was not well received in every corner of Italy. On RAI’s post stage show Processo alla Tappa, Vingegaard’s role quickly became the main talking point, with his talks with the race jury replayed several times. While some portrayed him as the driving force behind the neutralisation, others pointed out that the pink jersey was simply acting as the peloton’s spokesperson.

On Monday, RCS Sport made clear it did not share the riders’ assessment. In comments reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, RCS Sport CEO Paolo Bellino strongly rejected the suggestion that the Milan circuit had been unsafe.

“We inspected every metre and its safety was fully guaranteed,” Bellino said.

RCS Sport clearly did not welcome the intervention. Vingegaard, one suspects, will not be losing much sleep over that.

The Dane asked for a safer finale, got what he wanted, and underlined the authority that now comes with wearing pink.